Linking Unstructured and Structured Data in Enterprise Apps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in associating unstructured data with structured data within business applications, making it difficult to manage and access relevant information due to the structured environment's limitations.

Innovation Solution

The software creates links between unstructured and structured data elements based on attributes of electronic communications and active processes within the enterprise application, storing these links in a repository and allowing users to query and access them through a user-friendly interface, while adhering to link policies for relevance and sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If unstructured data is stored outside the business application, then data flexibility and accessibility are improved, but association with structured data becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoiddata association complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component that acts as a bridge between unstructured data stored outside the business application and structured data within it. This intermediary enables automatic association by matching attributes from electronic communications (unstructured) with corresponding business data elements (structured), resolving the complexity of direct association while maintaining data flexibility and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If structured data is managed within the business application, then data organization and management are improved, but integration with unstructured data is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata organizationVSAvoiddata integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges structured data management within the business application with unstructured data access outside it by creating linked associations. The system combines the organizational stability of structured data with the flexibility of unstructured data through attribute-based linking, allowing users to access both data types through a unified interface while maintaining their respective management structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of information

If links are created between unstructured and structured data, then data relevance is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata relevanceVSAvoidlink management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system automatically creates and manages links between unstructured and structured data based on attribute matching. The automatic link creation process compares attributes from electronic communications with business data elements and establishes relevant associations without requiring manual intervention, thereby improving data relevance while minimizing the complexity burden on users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8060536B2Managing structured and unstructured data within electronic communications
Publication Date: 2011.11.15 SAP SE
  • US8060536B2 patent drawing
  • US8060536B2 patent drawing
  • US8060536B2 patent drawing

AI summary

This disclosure provides various embodiments of systems, methods, and software for managing structured and unstructured data within electronic communications. In one implementation, software identifies an electronic communication associated with a user in an enterprise application; creates a link between an unstructured data element associated with the electronic communication and a structured data element associated with the enterprise application, where the link created at least partially based on one or more attributes of the electronic communication and an active process of the enterprise application; and stores the link in a link repository.